House Bill 250 in the High School

Governor Dewine had this to say about his hopes for implementing phone policies: "By limiting these distractions,  we will re-establish the opportunity for students across Ohio to immerse themselves in their classwork, learn from their teachers, and create lifelong memories with their closest friends." 

The main question, however, is how the bill is going to impact NRHS and its students. In an interview with Mr. Mueller, the high school principal, I asked him if any changes would be made to the high school's phone policy to which he said, "We don't see a need at this time to make any changes." 

This may raise a concern for students' mental health regarding consistent phone use in the classroom. However, Mr. Mueller recognizes these problems and warns students: "If you're constantly checking your phone. If you have to step out. If you're texting or Instagramming or TikToking around the clock that's not healthy...if you're gaming too much on your phones. If you're doing all the other social media stuff...we do what we can to reach out with families and the students to try to help them develop good habits." As of now, the phone policy in the high school will stay the same but that does not stop teachers from creating their own policy in the classroom.

 English teacher Mr. Hoty who aims to target students' focus and develop their potential for deeper learning implements a specific policy in his classroom. In his classroom, students must put their cell phones in pockets hanging on a wall during class unless they have spoken to him about it first. Mr. Hoty feels very strongly about the new bill to which he says, "I believe the bill is important because, as an educator and as a parent of teenage daughters, I have seen first-hand how damaging these devices are to young minds.  Cell phones are not only considerable distractions, but they also promote isolation and undermine critical thinking." This gives NRHS something to consider going into the next school year but as of now, there will be no changes in the school's phone policy. 

If you have any comments or considerations regarding the phone policy in NRHS, please contact the North Ridgeville Broadcast Journalism Team and check out the current phone policy in the Student Handbook.